Sample Killah EMPTIES Reviews

Upon consideration, I probably should have posted reviews as I went instead of the weird running tally of what I was using and what I had killed, but sometimes I make bad choices. So here I am with a big old text laden review post with all of (I think???) the products that I used up this month listed and reviewed as best as I was able. Admittedly, there are a lot of things on this list that I couldn't give a good review on... and then there were things that I hated so violently that I will never put them on my face again. True Story: The girl at Shoppers Drug Mart offered me a sample of one of the products when I popped in there the other night and I straight up turned it down, with a polite thank you, of course. So here you have it.... I'll try to throw in some pictures to make this at least a little less boring.

Tonymoly I'm Real Seaweed Aqua Moisture Lotion - As far as I could tell, this was fine. It provided light, quickly absorbed moisture that did pretty well with my summer skin. I'm pretty sure it would be way too light for my winter skin though.

Tonymoly I'm Real Lemon Brightening Lotion - This was a pretty nice lotion as well. I didn't really notice much brightening, but it made my skin feel soft and didn't give me any greasiness.

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation in 325 Cool Beige - Eh. I heard so many good things about this foundation, which is why I got the sample, and just... Nope. It wasn't enough coverage for me and it broke down about midway through the afternoon even with powder. I'll pass.

Origins Vitazing SPF15 - I actually really liked this for the two uses I got out of the foilie package. I'd definitely try a bigger sample again to see if it would be sustainingly good.

ION Repair Solutions Effective Care Treatment - I really like this hair mask. I put it on at the beginning of my shower and rinsed it out right at the end and my hair just felt really soft and managable all day. Also, it smelled really nice.

Skinfood Blanc Pearl Caviar Serum - Not enough time to know if it did anything, but no ill effects.

Lise Watier Hydrasmart 3D Hydration Cream - I think this might have been a little too heavy on the moisture for my summer skin, I was a little bit oily the following day after using it.

LOX Citrus Lemon Conditioning Shampoo - This smelled really good and it did a pretty good job of cleaning my hair... but it definitely was not conditioning at all. Why do hotels do that????

Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask - This is the business, I would buy the full size of this in about a second. It made my hair feel really nice and look shiny, and it had that kind of natural argan scent that lingered but didn't feel the least bit like an added fragrance.

Skinfood Black Sugar Perfect First Serum - Not enough time to know if it did anything, but no ill effects.

Tresseme Split Remedy Shampoo & Tresseme Split Remedy Conditioner - I actually really liked how my hair felt and smelled after using this enough that I looked it up online... and online told me that it's actually really drying because of a high alcohol content, so I decided never to speak of it again. :)

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster - Admittedly, I've had this in full size before and I really quite like it. It feels and smells really good and I think it does have really good effects on the overall condition and appearance of my skin.

Etude House Collagen Moistfull Cream - Not enough time to know if it did anything, but no ill effects.

Origins Modern Friction Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion - This actually felt really good on my skin, unlike a lot of dermabrasion products which have made me feel like I was going to gently rub my skin off. I would try this again.

Etude House Sunprise Must Daily SPF 50+ - No breakouts and no sunburn, so clearly I count this as a huge win. A huge one.

Mario Badescu Healing & Soothing Mask - This was fine. It didn't shatter the earth, but my skin did look pretty good after the two masks that I did. Also, it didn't feel tight and dry, which is a huge plus.

Tonymoly I'm Real Tea Tree Sebum & Pore Lotion - Not enough time to know if it did anything, but it felt like it was a little bit drying.

Nature Republic Blackhead Brake Clear Charcoal Nose Pack - NO. NO NO NO NO NOOOOO. This hurt so fucking bad that I wanted to scream. In fact, I might have screamed outloud. And I think it also may have actually abraded my skin where it was sensitive from Kleenex from my cold. I hate this thing with the fire of a thousand suns and never will another one touch my poor schnoz. No. Hated. I had two of these and I couldn't bring myself to use the second one.

Mario Badescu Cucumber Toner - I actually really, really loved this and it reminded me why I should be a little less devil may care about toner. I'm very seriously considering putting in an order for a full size of this toner.

JULEP One Step Polish Remover Pad - Pretty nice, pretty nice. Took off all of the polish on both feet with no problem.

Etude House Nymph Aura Volumer - Nope. Nooooope. This was thick and weird and made my face look like I had just rubbed olive oil all over it... but really sticky olive oil. Did not like.

Hair One Cleanser & Conditioner - I would try this again. I've never gotten into the cleansing conditioner (like Wen by Chaz whatshisface from the commercials with Alyssa Milano...) thing because I figured it would be a no go for me 100%, but my hair actually felt pretty damn good after. Might pick up a couple more of these single use thingies.

Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Ultra Nourishing Body Butter - I need this in a huge tub. In my life. Right now. Smells delicious, feels delicious after a shower. Love it so hard.

Neostrata Toning Solution Level 2 - IT BURNED.
After how much I loved that Mario Badescu one, this was extra horrible.
It burned so bad that I'm amazed I used it more than once. No, thank
you. No.

Mario Badescu Drying Cream - I feel pretty sure that rather than nip breakouts in the bud, this stuff actually brought everything more to the surface in a big, red pimple kind of a way. Is that what it's intended to do? Because no.

Lise Watier Teint Lift Anti-Rides - This sample was too dark for my skin. I tried to make it work and it had really nice coverage and a nice finish, but after a while it oxidized and I had to take it off. I'd try this again in a more accurate shade though, it was nice.Neostrata 24 Hr Hydration Serum - Pretty nice and made my skin feel soft and moisturized. No complaints, but foil packets don't give enough product to really test effectiveness. Clarisonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser - I really, really liked this cleanser and used it for most of the month. Since my skin was so awesome this month and this was literally the only thing that I used almost every single say, I'm going to give this huge points. And I think I might invest in a full size.

Coola Mineral Sunscreen Face - I liked this and I'm getting more and more into the idea of natural and safe sunscreens, so I definitely would look into getting another bottle of this. Also, a sunscreen that is meant for the face gets big points as well.Avene Xera Calm A.D. Lipid Replenishing Balm - This seemed fine but I think I'd need a bigger sample to really give a review.Freeman Facial Purifying Clay Mask - I liked this, but it didn't blow my socks off. Also, it really needs some argan oil under it or else it feels really, really oily.

Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum - This felt fine, I suppose. I think I'd try it again, but I can't really say if I'd invest in it from what I got from the sample.

IOPE Conditioning Bio Essence - I would buy this. I really, really would. I found that after I used this the night before, I woke up with a really good skin day.

Indeed Labs Hydraluron - I really like this stuff. I've used it before and I will probably invest in it again, especially in the winter. I tend to get a little dehydrated and this just plumps everything up and makes it look healthy.

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser - Didn't like this so much. Even after taking my makeup off with a cleansing oil that I generally like, I don't think this really cleaned my skin. And it felt really, really drying to me. Not a fan.Mario Badescu Strawberry Face Scrub - I used this on my face once and it didn't have much scrubbiness and I didn't really like the creamy texture, so I used up the rest of it on my feet after a particularly weird day in flip flops. So. There's that?

Neostrata Aqua Youth Wrinkle Filler - So... I'm not really all that wrinkly and I should probably pout at the chick from SDM who gave this to me... But even so it was too small a sample for even a wrinkly person to test effectiveness, I'd say.

PRODUCTS I DIDN'T USE UP

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer - I am actually almost finished this and I would have finished it, but I moved it from my Sample Killah bag to my makeup bag and promptly forgot about it. I like this. It gives light coverage that does a good job of evening out my skintone, but the shade SAND is a little yellow for my skintone. It definitely needs powder and by late in the afternoon I need some pretty significant touching up. That said, I'd repurchase this. Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum - This stuff is really nice, but you need to use such a light hand with it that I'm pretty sure I'm never actually going to make it through this bottle. It smells really nice and I love the way it makes my hair feel silky, but it's very easy to go overboard and make your hair look greasy. Still, careful use and this is quite nice.Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub - I actually liked this, even though I really, really loathe the act of dermabrasion. This stuff smells good and my skin always felt really fresh and clean after using it. I think that this sample will last me a long time, too, since I can't use it overly often and I need very little for my entire face. NUDE ProGenius Treatment Oil - I LOVE THIS STUFF. I LOVE IT SO MUCH. I loved this enough that it got a spot in my monthly favorites and I'm already planning for the day when I need to buy a full size. I mean, I really love this stuff a lot and I think my skin was about a zillion times improved because of it.Hang Ten 50 Classic Natural Sunscreen - Okay, so I gave this to my boyfriend because he refuses to wear sunscreen that isn't natural and I don't want him to get cancer. I'm probably going to end up ordering him a big bottle of it once he gets through the sample, though.Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen - I ended up using this one myself and I love love love the smell of it. Also, it seemed to do a pretty solid job of keeping me from turning into a lobster. Probably won't repurchase though, because I too am going to go with a natural sunscreen from here on out.

And that, ladies and... let's face it, ladies, is the official end of Sample Killah 2014 for me. Check out other people's updates using the hashtag #samplekillah on social media, as well as in the update posts at KalynLord.com. Again, I want to thank Kalyn for starting this whole crazy thing and inviting us strangers to participate. It was a really, really good time and my collection (and thusly my brain) feel much lighter now! XO!